Former Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has called on the federal government to consider scrapping the local government system if state governors continue to hinder its effective operation.
Ogbeh highlighted concerns over the inefficiency of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, citing issues of governance control and alleged mismanagement of funds by governors. He emphasized that little improvement has been seen despite calls for local government autonomy and recent legal actions against governors for misusing local government funds.
Speaking on the socio-political programme “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande” on Channels Television, Ogbeh, a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed frustration over disappearing funds meant for local government administration. He criticized the lack of visible development projects despite significant federal allocations.
“If we don’t want the local government system, let’s scrap it. But if allowed to function properly, it could be a fantastic system,” Ogbeh asserted.
He urged the federal government to withhold monthly allocations to states where governors appoint caretaker committees for local government administration, labelling such committees illegal according to Supreme Court rulings.
“Don’t send them cash; deduct their allocations and retain it,” Ogbeh insisted. He argued that governors failing to manage local government affairs adequately undermine national stability and development.
“These failures are creating dangerous problems for the country,” he concluded, emphasizing the urgent need for effective governance at the grassroots level to benefit all Nigerians.
The Oyo State Government has approved the recruitment of 7,500 teachers and 3,000 non-teaching staff for the state’s post-primary education sector, aiming to enhance its quality.
Akinade Alamu, Chairperson of the Oyo State Post-Primary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), announced this on Friday in Ibadan. He emphasized that the recruitment will be merit-based and encouraged all qualified candidates, including those with physical challenges, to apply.
Alamu highlighted the importance of merit-based employment for quality education and stressed the necessity of adhering to the application guidelines. He cautioned applicants against applying for both categories simultaneously, stating that each candidate must choose either the teaching or non-teaching category.
Interested candidates with the required credentials can apply through the provided link within a two-week period. Applicants must have a National Identification Number, a functional email, and phone numbers, among other requirements.
Audu Ogbeh asks FG to stop payment of LGA funds to governors with caretaker committees
The recruitment process includes an online application, a CBT examination, and an oral interview. Alamu praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for approving the mass recruitment initiative.
“Oyo State government’s huge investment in the education sector is yielding positive results as our students are doing well on all fronts. Therefore, the government is set to recruit more teachers, in addition to those on ground,” he said.
According to Mr Alamu, the recruitment exercise is being supervised by an inter-ministerial committe that would ensure a seamless exercise.
The Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Haroon Lawal, was quoted as saying that the recruitment is aimed at fortifying the teaching and non-teaching sector of the state’s secondary education.
At least 30 British citizens of Nigerian origin will be on the ballot in the United Kingdom’s elections scheduled for Thursday, July 4.
An analysis of the list of candidates by a UK election data supplier, Democracy Club, showed that 20 British-Nigerians will be representing mainstream parties, including the Labour Party, the Conservatives Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Reform UK, while the rest are from smaller parties or contesting as independents.
The new Parliament is expected to be the most diverse in Britain’s history as more ethnic minorities, including Nigerians, in mainstream and fringe parties, are making strong overtures to the electorate with persuasive manifestos.
To stand as a candidate in a UK Parliamentary General Election, a candidate must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of a commonwealth country who does not require leave to enter or remain in the UK, or has indefinite leave to remain in the UK.
Some of the candidates are seeking re-elections to the parliament, others are appearing on the ballot paper for the first time, hoping to get the votes of their constituencies.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued fresh guidelines on foreign currency deposits by deposit money banks (DMBs).
CBN made this known in a circular signed by Solaja Olayemi, its acting director of the currency operations department on Friday.
In the circular, the apex bank directed banks to transfer all excess foreign currency notes to its Lagos or Abuja branches.
The financial regulator said this is aimed at boosting liquidity in the foreign exchange market.
According to CBN, each bank would be allowed a maximum deposit of $10 million threshold for $100 notes and $50 notes daily.
“In order to deepen the foreign exchange market, boost liquidity and attain convergence in the exchange rates of the parallel and official markets, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved that DMBs may deposit their excess foreign currency notes with Lagos and Abuja branches of the Bank,” CBN said.
“The approval is a response to the increasing demand by DMBs to deposit their forex cash with CBN for onward credit to their off-shore accounts with the correspondent banks.”
‘3 WORKING DAYS NOTICE FOR INTENT TO DEPOSITS’
The financial regulator said the banks should adhere strictly to its guidelines such as giving three days notice showing intent to deposit foreign currencies.
“Give at least three (3) working days’ notice of their intent to deposit forex cash, in writing to the branch controller, CBN Lagos or/and Abuja. This must be accompanied by the list of owners of foreign currency to be deposited,” CBN said.
“All deposits must be within the threshold of the following per day: (i) USD higher bills ($100 and $50) maximum limit of $10 million. (ii) USD lower bills (20 and below) maximum limit of $1 million. (iii) GBP notes a maximum limit of £1 million. (iv) EURO notes – maximum limit of €1 million.
“Two (2) representatives of the depositing bank must be present to witness and confirm the amount to be deposited.
“Deposits may be in $100, $50, $20, $10, $5, $1 and all GBP and EURO denominations. Each denomination shall be in separate boxes.
“The DMBs shall engage the services of only CBN-registered CIT companies for deposits of foreign currency notes.
“The time for accepting deposits shall be between 8am and 12pm.”
CBN said Abuja and Lagos branches would receive, count and authenticate deposits in the presence of the representatives of the depositing bank on the same day.
“The bank shall credit the DMBs account through their correspondent bank within the cycle time of T+5.” the apex bank said.
“The handling charge of 0.30 per cent of the authenticated amount should be recovered from the DMB current account with CBN.
“The Bank would not accept forex deposits from any DMB that fails to comply with any of the guidelines.”
On September 12, 2023, the CBN asked banks to stop utilising gains from the revaluation of the naira to pay dividends or finance operations.
President Bola Tinubu has signed an executive order to introduce zero tariffs, excise duties and value added tax (VAT) on imported pharmaceutical inputs.
In a statement on Friday, Muhammad Ali Pate, coordinating minister of health and social welfare, said the order is aimed at revitalising the Nigerian health sector and increase production of healthcare products.
“In a transformative move to revitalize the Nigerian health sector, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR @officialABAT, has signed an Executive Order aiming to increase local production of healthcare products (pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, devices such as needles and syringes, biologicals, medical textile, etc.),” Pate said.
“The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation @FedMinOfJustice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN, @LOFagbemi, is to now take the next steps towards codifying the new Order.”
Pate said the order is crucial to the success of the initiative for unlocking the health care value chain (PVAC_NG), which was approved in October 2023 by the president.
“The Order introduces zero tariffs, excise duties and VAT on specified machinery, equipment and raw materials, aiming to reduce production costs and enhance our local manufacturers’ competitiveness,” he said.
“Specified items include Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), excipients, other essential raw materials required for manufacturing of crucial health products like drugs, syringes and needles, Long-lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) and Rapid Diagnostic Kits, among others.
“The Order also provides for establishing market shaping mechanisms such as framework contracts and volume guarantees, to encourage local manufacturers.”
According to the minister, the order mandates collaboration among the ministers of health, finance, as well as industry, trade and investment, to develop a harmonised implementation framework — expediting regulatory approvals and reducing bottlenecks.
Pate said agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) “will ensure swift implementation, with special waivers and exemptions effective for two years”.
“The implication of this order is pivot towards market-based incentives to encourage medical industrialization, reducing costs of medical products through import substitution over time, creating and retaining economic value and enabling job creation in the healthcare value chain,” the minister said.
Pate thanked Tinubu for his courage and commitment to ensure Nigeria is put back on the path to prosperity.
He also expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the ideas that culminated in the consensus that resulted in the significant milestone.
The development follows an appeal sent by TheCable on May 23 to Tinubu and other political leaders in the country for policy and legislative actions on the escalating cost of medications, also known as “drugflation”.
The publication identified key proposals from its webinar — which was held in April 2024 — in the appeal and requested the approval of an unambiguous executive order to tackle the identified health sector issues, and encourage patronage of local manufacturers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has responded vehemently to recent statements by some Nigerian governors regarding their intention to determine what they deem fit as the minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
According to the NLC, this stance is dictatorial and undermines the established model for creating a national minimum wage in Nigeria.
In a press release issued by Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at NLC, the Congress emphasised that the national minimum wage is not an arbitrary figure but a collective agreement designed to ensure a minimum standard of living for every worker in the country.
The governors’ desire to unilaterally set the minimum wage contradicts this principle and threatens the welfare of Nigerian workers and the national economy, NLC maintained.
“The concept of a national minimum wage represents a national wage floor, a baseline below which no worker should be paid,” Upah stated.
He reminded the governors that the minimum wage is separate from the individual pay structures of states, which already reflect their unique financial capabilities and circumstances.
This flexibility, he noted, allows states to reward their workers in alignment with their financial realities.
The NLC also criticised the inconsistency in the governors’ stance, pointing out that political office holders across the nation receive uniform salaries as determined by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission without similar objections.
“This double standard pits a few privileged individuals against the majority poor, which should concern anyone who loves this country,” the release stated.
The NLC expressed deep concern over what it described as a “blatant display of ignorance” regarding global best practices for national minimum wage by some governors. Despite frequent travels abroad, these governors, according to the NLC, have failed to educate themselves on fundamental issues crucial to successful governance. The Congress recommended that these governors “return to school for proper education” to avoid posing a threat to democracy.
The NLC commended the governors who prioritize workers’ welfare and urged the federal government to address the issue of the national minimum wage without yielding to pressure from “selfish governors.” The Congress reiterated that workers’ salaries are not charity but hard-earned income that drives the economy.
“Allowing numerous companies and organizations in Nigeria to pay workers whatever they like is akin to what the governors are asking for,” the NLC argued. “While these companies may not pay the same salaries, they must adhere to the national wage floor, and the same should apply to state governors.”
The NLC called on President Bola Tinubu to uphold his promise of a living wage and not be influenced by unpatriotic governors. The Congress urged the governors to abandon any inclination towards dictatorial practices and to embrace policies driven by equity and fairness. Ensuring a fair minimum wage, they argued, is not only a matter of economic justice but also a fundamental aspect of maintaining social stability and national cohesion.
“Nigerian workers should not be reduced to beggars! Enough is enough!” the NLC declared. The Congress reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers, advocating for a fair and equitable wage system that reflects the nation’s values. They called on the governors to join them in this commitment for the benefit of all Nigerians and to let democracy flourish.
![[STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE] President Tinubu Appoints Eight New Permanent Secretaries](/media/k2/items/cache/5747fdf47479359f9ea0e0a22b2c8c85_S.jpg)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eight new Federal Permanent Secretaries to fill in existing and impending vacancies of some states and geo-political zones in the top administrative cadre of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The new Federal Permanent Secretaries appointed after a diligent selection process by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation are:
(1) Dr. Emanso Umobong Okop - Akwa-Ibom
(2) Obi Emeka Vitalis - Anambra
(3) Mahmood Fatima Sugra Tabi'a - Bauchi
(4) Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi - Jigawa
(5) Olusanya Olubunmi - Ondo
(6) Dr. Keshinro Maryam Ismaila - Zamfara
(7) Akujobi Chinyere Ijeoma (South-East)
(8) Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanmwen (South-South)
The President anticipates that the new Federal Permanent Secretaries will exercise absolute dedication, diligence, and fidelity to the nation in the discharge of their functions and ensure optimum service delivery to the Nigerian people.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
The New Nigeria Peoples Party National Youth Leader, Anwal Musa, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of witch-hunting the presidential candidate of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
According to Musa, while addressing newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, the action of the anti-graft agency was instigated by some political rivals to tarnish Kwankwaso’s image.
He said, “I challenge EFCC to come out with facts on the allegations, otherwise, we consider it as an attempt to witch-hunt and victimise him.”
The leader further argued that there was no justification for EFCC to commence an investigation of Kwankwaso from 2015 to 2023 as a former Governor and leader of NNPP.
Musa asked, “Why did the EFCC wait this long to investigate him, nine years after leaving office and also why investigate party affairs.”
According to him, investigating an ‘honest and hardworking’ person like Kwankwaso will only amount to a waste of time.
He added, “Go to Kano and see what he did as a governor, check his records as a Defence Minister, and a Senator.”
Musa urged EFCC to disregard any petition written against Kwankwaso by any politician or any associate.
Speaking on NNPP crises, the youth leader said the party had resolved all its internal crises, including the power tussle among its officers at the local, state and national levels.
“We have recently conducted elections into various offices in 13 states of the country successfully,” he said.
He noted that the party had also made changes in its logo and structurally designed a method of campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
Musa said, “It is our hope that the NNPP will give a surprise outing and will win national and state seats in the coming elections.
“Nigerian youths are ready to make serious changes in the national political scene.
“We will take over the government and salvage this country from maladministration.”
[NaijaNews
The Debt Management Office (DMO) of Nigeria recently announced that the nation’s total public debt increased significantly to N121.67 trillion (approximately $91.46 billion) as of March 31, 2024.
This figure encompasses the combined domestic and external debts of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the thirty-six state governments, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In comparison, the total public debt as of December 31, 2023, stood at N97.34 trillion (approximately $108.23 billion). This represents an increase of N24.33 trillion or 24.99% within a three-month period.
The increase is driven majorly by naira devaluation, as the total debt was reduced in dollar terms by $16.77 billion or 18.34%.
Amid concerns over rising debt service costs, states have been working to decrease their debt stock. In Q1 2024, states’ total domestic debt dropped by 31% from N5.86 trillion in Q4 2023 to N4.07 trillion and by 26% from N5.48 trillion in Q1 2023.
Despite the decrease, some states still have high debt stock. Below is the ranking of the top 10 Nigerian states with the highest domestic debt in Q1 2024:
#10 Bauchi
Bauchi’s domestic debt decreased significantly from N144.54 billion in Q1 2023 to N108.39 billion in Q1 2024, representing a 25.01% decrease. Additionally, there was a decrease from N160.81 billion in Q4 2023, a 32.62% decrease.
#9 Abia
Abia experienced an increase in domestic debt from N99.54 billion in Q1 2023 to N113.71 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting a 14.22% increase. However, from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024, there was a decrease of 17.99% from N138.64 billion.
#8 Benue
Benue’s debt reduced from N141.29 billion in Q1 2023 to N116.73 billion in Q1 2024, a 17.38% decrease. Compared to Q4 2023, which had N187.18 billion, there was a decrease of 37.62%.
#7 Akwa Ibom
Akwa Ibom’s domestic debt decreased from N206.64 billion in Q1 2023 to N142.93 billion in Q1 2024, which is a 30.83% decrease. From Q4 2023 to Q1 2024, the debt also decreased from N190.48 billion by 24.96%.
#6 Cross River
Cross River’s debt decreased from N196.27 billion in Q1 2023 to N156.17 billion in Q1 2024, showing a 20.42% decrease. From Q4 2023 to Q1 2024, there was a decrease from N220.20 billion by 29.08%.
#5 Imo
Imo saw a decrease in domestic debt from N202.55 billion in Q1 2023 to N163.06 billion in Q1 2024, which is a 19.53% decrease. The decrease from Q4 2023’s N217.11 was 24.89%.
#4 Ogun
Ogun’s debt decreased from N293.20 billion in Q1 2023 to N221.22 billion in Q1 2024, reflecting a 24.55% decrease. Compared to Q4 2023, which had N278.68 billion, there was a 20.62% decrease.
#3 Rivers
Rivers remained constant at N232.58 billion from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024. However, there was a slight increase from N225.51 billion in Q1 2023 by 3.14%. The DMO in its latest debt report noted that the domestic debt stock figure for Rivers State was as of March 31, 2023.
#2 Delta
Delta’s domestic debt decreased from N421.78 billion in Q1 2023 to N334.90 billion in Q1 2024, a 20.62% decrease. From Q4 2023 to Q1 2024, the debt also decreased from N373.41 billion by 10.31%.
#1 Lagos
Lagos, with the highest domestic debt, saw an increase from N812.38 billion in Q1 2023 to N929.41 billion in Q1 2024, which is a 14.41% increase. However, there was a decrease from Q4 2023’s N1.05 trillion by 11.38%.
[Nairametrics]
Hajiya Halima Adamu, mother of the famous Hausa Singer Dauda Adamu, popularly known as Rarara, has been abducted, Daily Trust can report.
She was abducted at her residence in Kahutu village, Danja local government area of Katsina State, according to a source in Kahutu village.
According to the source, the bandits stormed the village around 1am Friday and abducted the aged woman.
“The bandits came on foot and silently because they did not fire a single shot during the operation that lasted for just a few minutes. The woman did not resist when the bandits requested her to go along with them.”
“Although the bandits met other people at the house, they only picked Rarara’s mother, leaving behind others. No attempt to confront the bandits while leaving the house because they were armed with guns.
“They probably kept their motorcycles from far away and then trekked to the village. We are praying that the woman will return to us in condition because she is very helpful to us in this village. Her son, Rarara is very generous to us; he has brought so many developments to this village for our wellbeing.”
Efforts to reach the famous Hausa singer on phone proved abortive, as his phones rang severally without any response.
Katsina is one of the states with a high level of insecurity in the North West region.
[DailyTrust]
More...
The Nigeria Customs Service, Joint Border Patrol Team Sector 2, said it intercepted 1,410 litres of premium motor spirit worth N30.4m within one week.
The Coordinator of the team, Mohammad Shuaibu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Customs Training College in Ikeja on Friday.
He said that the team intercepted these contraband within their area of jurisdiction adding that some were intercepted at the creeks.
Shuaibu added that the team also seized other contraband worth N1.12bn and arrested five suspects in connection with the various seizures.
“In our effort to actualise the mandate of combating smuggling and trans-border crimes, we intercepted some goods for violating various sections of the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023 and the Federal Government’s Import and Export Guidelines, the goods worth, N1.12bn
“They were intercepted across the borders of the six states of the South-West geo-political zone,” he said.
According to him, the arrested suspects are undergoing investigation and prosecution.
“Other items seized include, 4, 051 bags of foreign parboiled rice, 3, 751, Jerry Cans of PMS, 425 cartons of frozen poultry products, 912 pieces of used tyres, 30 sacks of cannabis sativa
“30 units of cars as means of conveyance, seven units of imported (tokunbo) cars, four units of motorcycles among others,” he said.
The coordinator stated that the team also recovered a total of N11.5m as revenue through the issuance of debit notes on vehicles and other goods improperly imported into the country.
However, Shuaibu disclosed that the team intercepted 30 illegal immigrants.
“With the Nigeria Immigration Service as a critical component of the joint border patrol team, we intercepted 30 illegal immigrants suspected to have violated immigration laws and were immediately handed over to the NIS for further investigation and prosecution” Shuaibu disclosed.
He warned smugglers to desist from the crimes adding that they have multiple effects such as, “undermining national security through the movements of illicit goods, such as drugs, weapons, and human trafficking, across the international borders, which impacts negatively on the economy by depleting the nation’s revenue base through evasion of duties and taxes,”
[Punch]
Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna central, says he saved former President Olusegun Obasanjo from being assaulted by inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security prison in 1995.
The former senator spoke during a lecture in Abuja on Thursday.
Obasanjo was Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979. He returned as civilian president in 1999 and handed over the reins of power in 2007.
Sani was among pro-democracy activists and dissidents who were rounded up and jailed by the military junta led by Sani Abacha, who was president from 1993 to 1998.
Obasanjo was arrested in 1995 for allegedly plotting a coup and was jailed.
‘THEY INSULTED OBASANJO’
Recounting events from the era, Sani said himself, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and Obasanjo were moved to Kirikiri prison after their arrests.
He said “armed robbers” in prison began “shouting and insulting” the former president when they saw him.
Sani added that he “talked to the inmates to calm down, that no matter their grievances with Obasanjo, he was now an inmate”.
“In 1995, a team of soldiers, policemen and DSS visited my house in Kaduna. It was a journey that began and lasted for four years,” he said.
“I was picked up from Kaduna and brought to Lagos with the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. From the airport, we were led to the DSS headquarters, where we met President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“Unfairly from the soldiers, they handcuffed me but did not do so for Obasanjo or Yar’Adua. Obasanjo looked at me and asked me who I was and if I had stolen something for them to have handcuffed me. I told him I was an activist.
“I was then the deputy chairman of the Campaign for Democracy. We were taken to Kirikiri Maximum Prison. We stayed there without anybody saying anything to us. When we arrived at Kirikiri, we were given a blanket and a plate of food.
“We were then allocated our cells. When the armed robbers there saw Obasanjo, they started shouting and insulting him.
“Naturally, for those of us who were human rights activists, we were popular with inmates. I told him, ‘You are a commander outside, but this is where I command’. I then I talked to the inmates to calm down, that no matter their grievances with Obasanjo, he was now an inmate.
“I got 15 years, Obasanjo got 15 years, Yar’Adua got life imprisonment. Those of us from the north were sent to southern prisons and those from the south were sent to northern prisons. That was how I found myself in Port Harcourt prison.
“I was in Port Harcourt prison when Ken Saro-Wiwa was brought in and hanged. I could see them from the window.”
‘ACTIVISTS MADE A MISTAKE IN 1998’
Sani added that pro-democracy activists of the era made a mistake by not putting themselves forward for political leadership as the military prepared to hand over power to civilians after Abacha’s death.
“Abdulsalami Abubakar, military head of state, invited all of us who fought for democracy, that he was going to hand over power to a democratically elected government and that he wanted all of us — the freedom fighters — to come together and take over power,” he said.
“At that very time, Gani Fawehinmi opposed it. Three times, Abubakar invited us. We even refused to answer his calls. Meanwhile, the politicians who were not invited were knocking on his door.
“After we decided to listen to him, we came and sat down. What do we do? After the struggle, the ANC in South Africa took over political power. But after our struggle, in 1998/1999 we made a fundamental mistake and said we were not going to cooperate with the military.
“Mike Ozekhome was one of those who said we should not join politics. Gani opposed as well, Falana opposed, Olisa Agbakoba… all opposed.
“It was Bola Tinubu who said ‘if we don’t get in, who is going to be there?’ By the time we all agreed to join politics, politicians had taken over all positions.
“Ozekhome tried to be governor of Edo state, he couldn’t; Olisa tried to be president, he couldn’t; Gani tried to be president, he couldn’t; Falana tried to be governor of Ekiti, he couldn’t; I tried to be governor of Kaduna — but the spaces had all been taken over.”
[TheCable]
On June 26, 2024, Nigeria’s external reserve reached a record high of $34.07 billion.
This is according to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s latest FX data on its official website.
The figure represents the highest level since March 2024.
Recall that last week the external reserve reached a three-month high when it rose to $33.5 billion.
Reserves have continued to surge since then, topping $34 billion for the first time since March 21, when it was $34.2 billion.
The external reserves have increased by a substantial $1.3 billion since June 2024.
The development comes as the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Olayemi Cardoso said its reforms attracted $24 billion inflow in the first quarter of 2024.
Meanwhile, despite the rising FX reserves, the Naira depreciated to N1510.10 per Dollar at the forex market according to FMDQ data on Thursday.
Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), a former Head of State, has spoken about the requirements to sustain democracy in the country.
Represented by Gen. Adamu Jidda on Thursday in Abuja at the second edition of ThisNigeria Newspaper Gold Prize and Annual Lecture Awards on the theme of the lecture; “25 Years of Nigeria’s Unbroken Democracy – Prospects and Possibilities”, Abubakar noted that electoral integrity, human rights, economic development and social justice remained critical areas that demand the country’s collective attention and action.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he believed that the nation’s democratic journey had not been without its trials.
He stated that democracy was an evolving process, saying that the past 25 years have taught the country that it required constant nurturing and vigilance.
According to him, “We have faced political turbulence, economic fluctuation and social upheaval, yet through it all, the Nigerian spirit has remained indomitable.”
Abubakar explained that Nigerians had shown that despite their differences, they were united in their commitment to conducting elections that were inclusive, prosperous and democratic.
He expressed optimism that the next 25 years and more would certainly bring challenges and opportunities, believing that it was the collective responsibility of Nigerians to ensure that the foundations were built and strengthened and that the democratic institutions were fortified.
He employed Nigerians to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey Nigeria had undertaken over the past quarter of a century.
In 1999, he observed that the nation embarked on the path of democratic governance, a path marked by aspirations, challenges and unwavering commitment to the principle of freedom, justice and equality.
He advised that the country must recognise the role of the media in the democratic journey, saying that the press had been the watchdog of democracy, by holding leaders accountable, shedding light on issues that matter and providing a platform for diverse voices to be heard.
Abubakar stated that Nigeria in particular, had been at the forefront of that endeavour, championing the cause of free and fair journalism.